Car side.



W. E. FOWLER, Sn.

GAB. SIDE.

nrmoumn FILED SEPT. 29, 1913.

Patented Apr. 21, 191 1 2 SHEETS-SHIIBT wrzeaaea W; B. FOWLER, SR.

GAR SIDE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, 1913.

Patent ed Apr. 21, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNI STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. FOWLER, 83., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB T FOWLER; CAB COMPANY, 01' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS.

, CABSIDE.

Specification of Letters l'atent.

Application filed September-29,1918; semmmaaaes. 1

To all "whom' it may concern: I

dent of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new 1 and useful Improvements in Car Sides, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relatesto railway cars and has particular reference to a novel-metallic frame single sheath car, similar to that shown in my former Patent No. 962,425

In the construction of cars known as the Fowler type, that is, metallic frame boxcars having a single interior sheathing, the

sheathing planks running longitudinally of the car, it is customaryto attach the planks to the frame by means of bolts, the bolts projecting through slots punched in the frame. Even if only every alternate plank is secured to the frame this requires a very large number of operations in punching the metallic members, which operations not only increase the labor cost but materially weaken the frame members. I have therefore conceived the idea of providing for means of securing the sheathing members in proper position and maintaining the same without punching any'of the frame members.

In practice it has been found not only desirable but essential that permanentmeans be associated with the car whereby the side planks may be kept in close relation to take up shrinkage and warping. One of the most eflicient means is the'inside strap ex. tending from the top of the side planks down to the floor, a tightening nut finding a bearing on the flange ofthe side sill. I have conceived the idea of forming this tightening strap of an angular shape whereby to provide suitable lateral stiffness using this strap as a side plank retaining means, this strap or angular member acting in place of the usual bolts which passed through the metallic frame members. Preferably this angular member is gained into the boards in order to provide a flush interior surface.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a box car constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig.2 is a fragmentary vertical section of the construction shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section similar to that shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an tightening strap.-

Referring more particularly to the drawings it will be seen that a car embodying my. nvent1on-may consist of a side sill 10, top plate 1 1,vertical.posts 12, diagonal posts 13, and corner post 14. The 0&118 provided 7 with a single interior sheathing consisting of planks 15 extending longitudinally of the car. Preferably located at each vertical post and gained into the; planks 15, as

PatentedApr. 21, 1914.

shown at 16, in Fig. 6, I provide an angular 7 preferably channel-shaped post or strap 17,

extending from-top to bottom of the car. At

the top the flanges 17- of the channel are cut oil and the web is bent over to form a hook which hook engages with the top plank 15. At the bottom I preferably rivet around rod 18, having a threaded lower end 19,

which rod extends through openings in the side sill 10, and is engaged by anut 20,

whereby pressure may be exerted to tighten the sides by a downward pull on the strap or post. In order to maintain the sheathing in operative relation to the frame, I provide a bolt 21, which passes through the upper plank l5,'and has its head seated within the space between the legs of the channels 17; As a means for providing a bearing on the frame I provide an upper loop composed of straps 22, the ends of which are riveted to the frame at 23, and between which the bolt 21 projects. There is thus provided an extended slideway which permits vertical movement of the planks as required in tightening. It may be found desirable to provide also an'intermdiate bolt 24, the head of which is likewise seated in the angular member 17, and the shank projecting through a loop formed by the straps 25, riveted to the frame men'i'ber at 26. Owing to the stiffness of the angular post or-strap, however, such intermediate fastening may not be found necessary in all cases. The means for holding the strap at the bottom, of course, will be understood is the rod 18, which passes through neat holes in the channel flanges 10. A similar construction may be followed at the ends or simple straps 27, may be bent around the corner, short bolts,- passing through the angular member sheathing and strap, as shown in Fig. 7. This obviates the necessity for punching the corner post .14.

It will be understood that the corner angle 14;, is not apertured the fastening bolt'merelyabutting the edge of the angle.

Inzthe construction shown a car is pro-" vided which retains all the requisites of a box car 'but which maybe very cheaply con- 'structed in view of the lack of necessity for punching the frame members and boring of the side planks together with the ease in assembling andfacility, in making repairs.

Obviously, many modifications may be made and such modifications as are within the scope of my claims I consider within the spirit of my" invention.

- .as described.

2. Ina. railway car, the combination of metallic frame posts, a single, interior, longitudinally extending sheathing, an angular tightening strap and retaining member located on the inside of the car, said member having engagement with said sheathing near the top thereofand extending through the floor of the car, means for exerting downward pressure on said strap to tighten said sheathing, and means for securing said sheathing to the frame, said securing means being connected to said tightening strap and being located adjacent to but not passing through a frame post, substantially as described.

3. In a railway car, the combination of a metallic frame, a single interior, longitudinally extending sheathing, an interior, angular post extending from top to bottom of the car, a loop secured to a frame post, and securing means passing through said interior post and 006 crating with said loop whereby to retain said sheathing in position, substantially as described. r

4. In a railway car, the combination of a metallic frame, a single interior longitudinally extending sheathing, an interior post, a strap cooperating with the frame exteriorly of said frame and sheathing, and a bolt passing through said post and said strap and extending to one side of a frame member, substantially as described.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 26th day of September, 1913.

WILLIAM E. FOWLER, Sn.

In presence of CHAs'; F. MURRAY, T. D. BUTLER. 

